Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman Cummins was shot and killed when he responded to a family quarrel. While he and another watchman were at the scene a drunk family member attacked them. While struggling with the man a large group of other intoxicated men also attached them. Night Watchman Cummins and the other watchman both suffered head wounds were seriously cut. Both officers were able to get away and go back to the police station. After filing their report Night Watchman Cummins went to a local church, where he served as sexton, to start the fires for Sunday morning. When parishioners arrived in the morning they found his body inside. A man and a woman were charged with Watchman Cummins' murder. On April 23, 1856, both were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced two two years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-9C551A4B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
171 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Cummins served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Thomas Cummins is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 43.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New Haven Police Department, 10 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Cummins's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Cummins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Cummins is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Cummins was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from New Haven Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
